Behind the Smoke and Lasers: The Humans of Several Species

On November 15, the stage lights at the Recher Theater in Towson will shimmer and pulse as Several Species: The PINK FLOYD Experience celebrates three decades of musical devotion. For nearly 30 years, this Baltimore-based eleven-piece has brought to life the monumental sound and visual grandeur of one of rock’s most legendary bands. Known for their stunning laser displays, massive soundscapes, and pitch-perfect recreations of Floyd classics, they’ve earned a reputation not merely as a tribute act, but as an immersive experience.

But behind the strobes and surround sound lies something even more captivating: six people bound by music, friendship, and a shared respect for Pink Floyd’s artistry. As the band approaches its 30th anniversary, we pull back the curtain—and the fog machine to meet the people who are Several Species.

If you had to pinpoint the gravitational center of Several Species, it would be Matt Zoll. The band’s drummer and founder, Zoll has been guiding the group’s rhythm and direction since its birth. A talented visual artist and art-school owner by day, Zoll brings both creativity and precision to every show.

“The music and playing live,” he says simply, when asked what he loves most. For him, it’s about recreating the immersive essence of Floyd—and experiencing it anew every night.

Among his most cherished memories is performing The Wall live at Pier Six—a moment that, for many fans, became the band’s defining statement. But perhaps his proudest came when his 18-year-old son, Andrew, filled in on drums during “Hey You.” “It was a proud moment,” Zoll recalls, “seeing him carry the beat for something that’s been part of my life for decades.”

Before the lasers, before the pyrotechnics, there was Chris Scholtes—a guitarist who helped shape the sonic identity of Several Species from the very beginning. A founding member whose tone and precision remain integral to the band’s sound, Scholtes brings both consistency and quiet mastery to every performance.

When he’s not on stage, Scholtes works as an accountant, a profession that might seem at odds with the chaos of rock and roll—but perhaps explains his meticulous ear for detail.

His favorite Pink Floyd songs are “anything from Animals,” a record he considers the perfect blend of atmosphere and edge. His most memorable moment? Playing The Wall all the way through at Pier Six. “That show was pure magic,” he says. “You could feel the weight of the music and the emotion in the crowd. It reminded me why we started this in the first place.”

Behind the lush keyboard swells and rhythmic guitar textures of Several Species is Seth Berkowitz, the band’s resident sound architect. A Supplier Relations Manager for an international tech distributor by day, Berkowitz balances the analytical with the artistic—ensuring every note, sample, and patch feels true to the Floyd aesthetic.

His favorite Floyd song is “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” though he admits nothing compares to performing “Echoes” live with his bandmates. “All of us are laser-focused on replicating Pink Floyd’s music and stage show as best we can so our fans get a unique experience,” he says.

His memories include the exhilaration of a sold-out Pier Six performance—and the hilarity of a long-ago mishap when the band’s original saxophonist famously lost his lunch mid-solo. “You can’t plan moments like that,” Seth laughs, “but you never forget them either.”

Every Floyd fan knows the importance of guitar tone. For George Gipe, that’s both an art and a science. Handling slide, acoustic, and electric guitar—as well as the band’s quadrophonic sound effects—Gipe brings both technical mastery and showmanship to the stage.

A self-described “philosopher, sage, and water polo champion,” Gipe balances dry humor with deep musical sensibility. His favorite Floyd track? “Dogs.” His favorite to play? “Anything from Animals,” the album that best captures Floyd’s raw power and intricate layering.

Gipe’s fondest memories include playing historic venues such as the Hippodrome in Baltimore and the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. “It’s surreal sometimes,” he says. “We’re paying tribute to this music we all grew up loving, in spaces where legends have played before us.”

As for onstage mishaps? He smiles. “Let’s just say our first sax player was legendary—for both his talent and his digestive adventures.”

For Chuck Field, music isn’t just entertainment—it’s therapy. A professional massage therapist outside the band, Chuck views performance as another kind of healing art. His favorite Floyd tune is “Hey You,” but “Comfortably Numb” holds a special place in his heart.

It was during that song at Pier Six that Field experienced something extraordinary: an out-of-body experience. “I heard the band as a whole and the audience singing along,” he remembers. “Then suddenly, I was hovering six feet above myself, watching me play the moving string parts. It only lasted a few seconds—but it was undeniable. And no, I was totally sober,” he laughs.

Field’s emotional connection to fans fuels his passion. “One night, a man told us he spread his mother’s ashes on the beach where we were playing ‘Wish You Were Here.’ Another time, someone proposed between songs. That’s the power of this music—it’s deeply personal for people.”

Bob Bartram brings both groove and grounding to Several Species. Having joined in 1996, left in 2013, and triumphantly returned in 2021, he embodies the band’s enduring spirit. “Sharing musicianship and camaraderie with great friends—some I’ve known for nearly 40 years—that’s what I love most,” he says.

His favorite Floyd track is “Hey You,” though he relishes performing “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” for its blend of funk and menace. By day, Bartram drives commercial trucks—a profession that mirrors the steady rhythm he brings to the stage.

Bartram’s stories reflect both humor and humility. After a Pier Six show years ago, he and several members celebrated at the nearby Marriott Waterfront. When it came time to leave, they discovered his car had been blocked in by Stevie Wonder’s tour buses. “I had to knock on several bus doors until this massive security guard appeared,” Bartram recalls with a laugh. “Eventually, they moved a bus—twenty minutes later!”

As the band’s newest member, Tim Morrison brings fresh vitality to the stage. A high-school shop teacher by day and frontman by night, Morrison’s presence fuses humble authenticity with raw performance energy. His favorite Pink Floyd song is “Dogs,” but his go-to performance piece is “One of My Turns.”

His first show with the band—at Classic Fest in Garretsonville, Ohio—was trial by fire. “I came out guns blazing,” he admits, laughing. “Climbing speakers, riling up the crowd. It was a blast, though not exactly the mellow Pink Floyd vibe.” Still, the band’s chemistry and the crowd’s response proved unforgettable.

One of Morrison’s fondest memories is seeing bassist Bob Bartram return after a long hiatus. “You could feel the energy shift,” he says. “It was like the band collectively got 10 years younger overnight. That’s what this music does—it connects us.”

Several Species wanted us to make to acknowledge some of the supporting cast and former membrers of Several Species to which they owe much of their success to
as well:

Hollie Brogunier, Courtney Endley, and Brandy Reece play a crucial role in enriching the sound with their beautiful harmonies. Hollie goes above and beyond by delivering an impressive rendition of “Great Gig in the Sky” and contributing rhythm guitar in select songs.

Carl Brogunier joined the band alongside his wife, Hollie, and Seth, playing keyboards and facilitating the next level of production technology.